Cord leader Raila Odinga addresses the public at Muliro gardens in Kakamega on Saturday June 21,2014 during a cord rally on National dialogue Photo/SAMUEL SIMITI
CORD leader Raila Odinga has warned the Jubilee government for taking Kenya back to dark KANU days where people were innocently being arrested.
Odinga said Cord leaders were speaking the truth and issues that are affecting the ordinary Kenyans.
He was reacting to Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to have nine Cord leaders’ record statements for hate speech.
Senators summoned are Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Elizabeth Ongoro (Nominated), Hassan Omar (Mombasa), James Orengo (Siaya) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos).
The MPs to record statements are Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), Simba Arati (Dagoreti North), and Mohammed Junet (Suna East).
They are accused of inciting the public in their push for dialogue with the government.
Odinga said the Constitution has given Kenyans the freedom of speech and the government should desist from intimidation and threats to Cord leaders.
The former Prime Minister was speaking at a rally in Masinde Muliro Gardens, Kakamega town which was attended by over 20 Cord MPs.
He noted that Kenyans are suffering, saying that the Government has no option but to dialogue with his coalition.
“The Government must know that, I am not afraid of the arrest or being jailed for the interest of Kenyans,” Odinga said.
Some of the issues that Cord wants to be addressed are insecurity, high cost of living, corruption, tribalism and national cohesion.
The former PM said Jubilee MPs have misinterpreted his remarks of “Ukiona Jirani yako ananyolewa tia chako maji” that he wants to shave President Uhuru.
He dismissed such reports saying he was not a barber to shave Uhuru.
Odinga accompanied by Co-Principal Moses Wetang’ula urged the government to immediate investigate leaflets circulated in Nakuru to ensure Kenyans live in peace and harmony.
He told the Government to desist from linking Cord coalition to the Mpeketoni killings where 60 people were killed by unknown assailants.
The Cord leader called for immediate implementation of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation report that was handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta last year to address the past injustices.
Odinga said most of the problems affecting Kenyans today are based on past injustices that were committed by the past Governments.
Wetangula said that Jubilee leaders must learn to distinguish fair comment, fair speech and hate speech before the making populist and reckless statements.
He said there is ethnicity in public appointments, insecurity, high cost of living, corruption and youth unemployment, adding that nobody should be arrested for speaking the truth.
Wetang’ula cited Westgate and Bungoma attacks where several people lost their lives yet government has done nothing to arrest the perpetrators.
Orengo said they will tell Kenyans the truth whatsoever adding that Cord was not just opposition but an alternative Government.
The MPs vowed that Saba Saba will go on as planned if the Government fail to dialogue with Cord.
Jakoyo warned senate majority leader Kithure Kindiki and majority leader of National Assembly Aden Duale that Raila was not their equal and they should respect him.
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